Variable flow fluid displacement rotor



Jan. 27, 1953 E. J. SANDERS VARIABLE FLOW FLUID DlSPLACEMENT ROTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1950 .EZMOQE J522N0EP5;

I INVENTOR.

BY M

flrroelvsy.

Jan. 27, 1953 E. J. SANDERS A "2,626,744

VARIABLE. FLOW FLUID DISPLACEMENT ROTOR Filed April 24, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan.

INVENTOR.

3 L i .100 E f/woes d SANDERS, 5

.IQTTOENEY.

Jan. 27, 1953 E. J. SANDERS 2,626,744

VARIABLE FLOW FLUID DISPLACEMENT ROTOR Filed April 24, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 52114025 2']: .SPINDEES,

Patented Jan. 27, 19 53 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VARIABLE FLOW F LUID DISPLACEMENT TOR Elmore J. Sanders, San Gabriel, Calif.

Application April 24, 1950, Serial No. 157,765

v18 Claims. (Cl..230-.2 70z) This invention relates generally to improved variable flow fluid displacement rotors adapted ,is'to provide improvements in the device of the above application and especially to provide improved means for controlling the relative angular positions of 'the two rotatable sections in that arrangement. Particularly contemplated is the provision of positioning mechanism in which the relatively slight movement of a single detent element or pin carried by one of the sections and engaging the other section serves effectively to control the relative angular positions of the sections. As will appear, the position controlling mechanism of the present invention is especially designed for operation by an extremely small actuating force, such as may be exerted by'a small electric solenoid requiring relatively little power for its operation. This feature is particularly important where the fan is to be used as a cooling air fan for an internal combustion engine, in which case it will ordi- ,narily be necessary to control the fan by battery current.

structurally, the positioning apparatus may include a holding element carried by one of the two rotatable sections for shifting movement between a pair of control positions, and acting in those positions to engage the other section in a manner rotatively interconnecting the sections in different relative angular positions. effective operation of the mechanism, it is desirable that the detent element be movable radially of the device during its shifting movement.

"The positioning apparatus may be so formed that when the detent element is shifted fromone position to the other the sections are permitted first to rotate relatively through a predetermined angle and are then automatically locked in a new position. Subsequent movement of the holding element in the opposite direction permits further relative rotation of the sections to a different position.

More specifically, this highly effective type of operation may be attained by the use of a movable detent element. carried by one section and suc- For most I 2 cessively engageable with a series of alternately offset stop shoulders positioned about the other section. Upon movement'from engagementwith any one of these shoulders, the sections are permitted to rotate relativelyuntil the detent engages and is stopped-by the next successive shoulder. Adjacent each shoulder, *1 preferably provide a locking notch or recess wit-hinwhichthe detent is received-after a shifting movement to positively rotatively interlock the sections in their new angular relation. As will appear, the stop shoudcrs, locking notches, and certain shifting control shoulders later to be described may all be formed together in asimple-and yet highly eii'ectivemanner by "the provision of a single essentially annular labyrinth recess adapted to movably receive the pin and having irregular walls forming the various shoulders and notches.

It has been discovered that when'the device of the present invention is employed as a suction fan, there is a decided tendency for the two rotatable sections to be drawn-together in a'manner causing Wear, increasing the frictional'resistance to their relative rotation, and creating noise'upon their change of position. An additional object of the present invention is to counteract lthis tendency for the two sections tobe drawn together by providing rotatable bearing meansbetween the sections retaining them a predetermined distance apart at all times. Preferably, I employ for this purpose a number of rollers spaced angularly about the outer edge of one section and engaging the other section withrelatively little friction.

Certain preferred rotors embodying theinvention are especially designedand adapted to serve as cooling fans for internal combustion engines. A further object of the invention is to provide balliing means adapted to effectively direct a flow of air through an enginfiliadially when the fanis used for this purpose. Specifically, I may provide a tubular shroud extending between the outer edges of the fan and radiator ,andacting to positively confine the cooling air ,fortravel ina predetermined, path. In this connectioma particular feature of the invention involves the provision of a fan and bafiieinstallationso designed as to produce a heavy fiow of cooling air through the radiator in a first direction when the fan is inits open condition, and tending to create a re1ativ,ely,slow reverse fiow of Warmer air inthe closed ,condition of the fan. For instance, in an automobile cooling system, the fan may create the llsil al rearward flow f air thr u h theradiator when in cooling condition and then create a slow forward flow of warm air from over the engine when in closed condition, thus preventing any appreciable radiator COOling effect in that closed condition of the fan due to the motion of the vehicle.

The above and other features and objects of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the typical embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an air circulating system for an internal combustion engine and showing the path of air flow when the fan is in its open condition;

Fig. 2 is a View corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing the path of air fiow with the fan in closed condition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the air directing shroud extending between the engine radiator and fan;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the fan of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front view of the fan taken on line 55 of Fig. 4 and partly broken away to show the rear bladed section;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section through one of the outer spacing rollers taken on line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 1-! of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the device taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 4 and showing especially the form of the labyrinth recess in the forward section;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken on line 96 of Fig. 4 and showing the pin actuating gear mechanism;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line I0I0 of Fig. 9 and showing the rotary solenoid and its associated gear;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line II--II of Fig. 9 showing the detent pin and its carrying disk;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the spiral spring for returning the pin to normal and taken on line I2I2 of Fig. 4; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary perspective view of two variational blade designs.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, a variable fan I00 is shown mounted at the forward end of an internal combustion engine IOI and in spaced relation to the radiator I02. Tubular shroud I03 extends rearwardly from the outer edge of the radiator to a position about the fan to direct air between the radiator and fan. This shroud is of rectangular section corresponding to the radiator at its forward edge and converges rearwardly to a circular section only slightly larger than the fan (see Fig. 2). At its rear edge, the shroud extends to a condition of axially overlapping relation with the fan, as shown, to effect a relatively slow forward flow of air through the radiator in the closed condition of the fan. The exact manner in which this forward flow of air is created will be brought out at a later point in describing the operation of the device. The shroud is mounted in the illustrated position in any suitable manner, as by mounting ears I04 welded to the radiator.

As best seen in Fig. 4, the variable flow fan itself comprises essentially a rear vaned fan section In carried by and rotatable with the usual fan driving hub II on the engine, a forward shutter section I2 mounted for rotation with and relative to the rear section and having an annular detent cam member I3 mounted on its rear face, and a detent mechanism I4 carried by the fan section and cooperating with the member I3 to control 4 the relative angular positions of the two sections and thereby the rate of axial fluid flow through the device. Hub I I is carried by the usual shaft I5 driven by V-belt IT.

The two sections of the rotor device are each formed essentially of a number of circular and annular sheet metal parts designed especially for inexpensive manufacture. The rear fan section, for instance, includes a circular mounting plate I8 attachable to the forward end of the driving hub II, an annular bracket plate I9, an annular inner mechanism carrying plate 20 forming with plates I8 and I9 a hollow inner hub portion of the section, and an outer annular vaned plate 2I. Mounting element I8 has a central rearwardly facing recess 22 formed to receive driving hub II and attachable to that hub by nuts 23 threaded onto the usual fan mounting studs. It is contemplated that the formation of this attaching plate may be varied to permit attachment of the device to driving hubs of various designs while the rest of the mechanism remains unchanged. Element I8 extends radially outwardly from its central recessed attaching portion and then axially at an outer location to form a cylindrical outer mounting portion 24 to which the rest of the fan device may be attached as a unit. To permit such attachment, bracket plate I9 is cylindrical and receivable about the outer cylindrical portion 24 of the mounting element I8, and contains a number of peripherally spaced and angularly extending fastener slots 25 registering with corresponding openings in the mounting element and through which screws 26 extend for rigid attachment of the fan to the mounting element. At its forward end, member I9 is turned inwardly to form an annular flange attachable by a number of angularly spaced screws 21 to the overlapping edge portions of the inner and outer fan section plates 20 and 2I.

The outer vaned annular member 2I extends first forwardly from its point of connection by screws 21 to the other fan section parts and then radially outwardly at 28 to an outer rearwardly turned reinforcing rim 29. As best seen in Fig. 5, this outer radial portion 28 of the sheet metal member 2I is cut and deformed at angularly spaced locations to form a series of spaced fan blades or vanes 30 extending angularly to the rear and acting to induce a rearward flow of air upon rotation. Preferably, the area of the ma terial deformed to form each of these blades is substantially the same as the areas of each of the undeformed intermediate shutter surfaces 3!.

At the outer edge of each of the shutter surfaces 3I, the sheet metal of plate 2I is locally bulged to form a forwardly facing recess 32 within which roller 33 is rotatably mounted to serve as a bearing for engaging the forward shutter section of the device to maintain the fan and shutter sections in predetermined spaced relation.

Referring to Fig. 6, recess 32 may be of essentially rectangular radial section to receive a U-shaped spring metal bearing member 34. Body 35 of roller 33 presents a pair of laterally projecting tapered pin portions 36 receivable within predetermined indentations in the sheet metal bearing member 34 to rotatably mount the roller. The body of the roller carries an outer O-ring 31 of rubber or the like received within a pre-formed annular recess in the surface of the roller body and acting to engage the shutter section of the apparatus. Because of the 5 unique formation of rollers 33 and their spring metal bearing members 34, these elements may be quickly and easily inserted into their respective mounting recesses with a minimum of difficulty and expense.

The inner sheet metal part 20 of the fan section is separately formed in order that it may be bodily removed from the rest of the apparatus and replaced when the parts of the detent mechanism carried by this plate become worn. Plate 26 extends first radially inwardly from its point of attachment t the other parts by screws 2?, then forwardly at 33, inwardly at 39 and finally forwardly and inwardly about the outer race of contact mounting bearing fill. The outer race of this bearing is retained at its rear side by a retainer plate il attached by screws 52 t the rear face of plate 29. Stationary terminal screw d3 extends through and'is rigidly attached to the inner race of bearing 4%, and has a rear contact head 46 eng-ageable by contact arm 45 mounted to but insulated from plate 29 by screw 36. This contact arm is in turn electrically connected to a detent actuating solenoid, as will later appear. Terminal screw 43 is attached at its forward end to a stationary electrical lead ti, and is suitably insulated from bearing 4e.

Detent mechanism It includes :a detent control disk d8 mounted for rotation at the forward side of the fan section of the device by a rearwardly extending shaft 49 rigidly connected to the disk and rotatable within spaced bearings to. These bearings are received at opposite sides of an inner annular projection within tubular mounting member 55 whose forward peripheral flange 52 is attached to plate 20 by screws 53. Shaft id is threaded at its rear end for connec- *tion to a bearing retainer 5%, which also serves as a dust cap for the bearings. Retainer 5 3 is locked in its assembled relation to shaft 49 by nut 55.

Disk i8 threadedly carries a forwardly projecting detent pin or lug 56 at an eccentric location and acts to move that pin radially of the fan upon rotation of the disk. A spiral spring 5'! received about shaft 59 and member 5| normally operates to rotate disk 48 in a direction moving pin 55 outwardly. For this purpose, one end 58 of the spring is connected to the threaded rear end of shaft 38, and the other end 59 of the spring is turned inwardly for selective reception within any of a number of openings 69 spaced about flange 52 of member 5i. As will be appreciated, the tension of the spring is regulated by insertion of its forward end within different ones of these openings 6! At a position angularly adjacent disk t8, plate '26 carries a gear wheel 5! driven through shaft (52 by a rotary solenoid t3 mounted to the rear face of the plate (see Figs. 9 and 10). Wheel 5! and disk is have interengaging gear teeth t l extending about a portion of their peripheries and acting to transmit rotation of the solenoid and its gear into rotation of the disk 48 and consequent radial movement of detent pin 56. The solenoid when energized tends to rotate in a direction moving pin 56 inwardly against the tendency of coil spring 5?. Upon deenergization of the solenoid, spring 51 then returns pin 55 to a radially outer position. The energization of the solenoid is remotely controlled, as by a conventional thermostatic switch responsive to the cooling water temperature in an internal combustion engine. Current is supplied to this solenoid through th metallic body of the fan device, and through lead 41, contact screw 43, and contact 45.

As seen in Figs. 4 and 9, plate 20 carries a counterweight 65 mounted by screws 56 at a location opposite the detent mechanism and servicing to balance this plate about its axis of rotation. Also, disk as, gear wheel 6 I, and their associated parts, are balanced about their respective axes, by the formation of suitable openings M8 in the gear and disk, to avoid any tendency for actuation of the detent mechanism by centrifugal force upon rotation of the device as a whole. Finally, shaft 49, disk 48, and their associated parts, are balanced to the front and rear of bearings 50.

On its forward face, plate 20 carries an annular forwardly projecting inner bearing race element '61 attached to the plate by the screws 42 and serving to rotatably mount the forward shutter section if. About its outer face, this bearing race has an annular groove within which balls 68 are received. At its forward edge, bearing race 6'! has an outwardly projecting flange 69 for protecting the balls and their engaging surfaces from dust.

The forward shutter section l2, like the rear fan section til, is formed of a number of annular sheet metal plates. Specifically, section 12 includes a pair of inner forward and rear plates it and ii, and an outer annular apertured plate The two inner plates 73 and H are interconnected near their inner edges by rivets 73, and their inner edges are oppositely curved at i l to form together a substantially semi-cylindrical outer race engaging the balls 68. Outwardly of connecting rivets #3, the rear plate ll is deformed to present an annular rearwardly facing recess '35 rectangular in radial section for receiving an annular detent cam member (3, which is preferably formed of hard rubber or similar quietly operating though long wearing material. This cam element may be bonded directly to plate H or retained by screws 71 serving also to interconnect the two plates '55 and H.

- Outwardly of the detent cam, plate l! is connected by rivets T8 to the outer annular shutter plate '52. This outer plate extends parallel and closely adjacent the outer vaned plate 2! of the fan section. Plate 12 has a number of radially enlarging angularly spaced apertures l9, between which the plate forms intermediate shutter surfaces Sil. These apertures l9 and shutter surfaces it are substantially equal in angular extent and are spaced in correspondence with the blades 353 and shutter surfaces 3i of the fan section. With the two sections l3 and E2 in the relative angular positions of Fig. 5, shutter surfaces Eil of the rear section extend across apertures T19 of the forward section to close those apertures and preclude the passage of any substantial amount of air through the device. When, however, the two sections are relatively rotated to a condition in which shutter surfaces iii are immediately opposite shutter surfaces 36 and blades 59 of the rear section are positioned opposite apertures ld of the forward section, the fan blades are exposed and free to draw air through apertures id.

The relative angular position of sections iii and i2 is determined by the radial shifting movement of detent pin 55 relative to detent cam i3. For this purpose, cam !3 contains a relatively narrow rearwardly facing, essentially annular labyrinth recess or groove 8! extending about the face of the cam element and within which the detent pin is movably received (see Figs. 8 and .11). This labyrinth recess comprises a succession of arcuate portions 82 and 83 extending alternately at two different radial distances from the center of rotation of the device. At one end of each of the outer arcuate portions 82 of the recess, the cam element presents a radial stop shoulder 84 against which the pin abuts after a shifting movement. Adjacent each shoulder 84, the wall of the recess contains an outwardly extending locking notch 85 into which the pin is movable to lock the sections in certain predetermined relative angular positions. Similarly, at a corresponding end of each inner portion 83 of the cam recess, the cam element presents a radial shoulder 88 radially offset from shoulders 84, and an inwardly extending locking notch 81. The various inner and outer arcuate portions 82 and 83 of the labyrinth recess interconnect at the. location of the locking branches 85 and ill. The angular extent of each of the arcuate portions of the recess is equal to the angular extent of the shutter surfaces 3| and 80, apertures 19 and the openings formed by blades 30.

In use, the fan is mounted to driving hub H by first separately attaching mounting element is to the hub and then attaching the rest of the device to this mounting element by screws 26. A source of controlled current is then connected to solenoid 63 through the body of the engine and lead 4?. Hub I I is normally driven continuously, and the effectiveness of the fan to draw air varied by controlling the relative angular position of the two rotating sections Hi and I2. With rotary solenoid 63 deenergized, spring 5'! acts to rotate disk 48 through shaft 49 in a direction moving detent pin 55 carried by the disk radially outwardly and into one of the outwardly extending locking notches 85 of recess 8|, as for instance, to the position of Fig. 8. In this condition, the fan section It] and shutter section I2 are rotatably interlocked, with fan blades 30 received directly behind apertures 19 in the shutter section. The fan blades consequently serve to draw air axially through apertures 19. Upon energization of solenoid 63, the solenoid rotates gear wheel 61 and through it disk 48 against the tendency of spring 51 and in a direction moving pin 56 radially inwardly from within locking branch 85 of the cam recess and to a radius corresponding to the next adjacent inner arcuate portion 83 of the cam recess. With the pin moved inwardly to this condition, the shutter section is free to move angularly relative to the fan section through a predetermined arc and until the pin engages the next successive radial shoulder 86 by which such relative angular movement is limited.

During such relative movement of the sections, the inward shifting movement of the pin is limited by engagement with wall or shoulder I81 extending along the inner side of the recess. As the pin engages shoulder 86, it reaches a position 0pposite one of the locking notches 81 and is urged into that locking branch by the solenoid. The fan and shutter sections are thus rotatively interlocked in a second relative angular position in which shutter surfaces SI of the fan section are received directly behind apertures 19 of the shutter section to close those apertures and prevent the passage of any substantial amount of air axially through the device. The sections remain in this relative condition until the solenoid is again deenergized and spring 51 is free to move pin 56 outwardly into the next successive outer arcuate portion 82 of the cam recess for movement through a second arc to the next successive lock- '8 ing position in which the fan is again opened. Relative movement of the sections when permitted by pin 56 is effected as a result of the natural tendency for the then undriven shutter section to slow under the influence of air resistance.

When the fan is closed against axial fluid flow by reception of shutter surfaces 3| of the fan section behind apertures E9 of the shutter section, the device commences to act as a centrifugal impeller, in which vanes 30 draw air forwardly from the rear of the fan and discharge it radially outwardly (see Fig. 2). As this air is drawn forwardly toward the fan, it passes slowly over and is warmed by the engine. Since the rear edge of shroud I03 extends to a position of axially overlapping relation with the fan blades, it picks up a part of this radially outward flow of warm air created by the fan in its closed condition and directs that air forwardly to pressurize the space in front of the shutter section. A certain amount of this warm air under pressure passes forwardly through the radiator to prevent any sharp and undesired drop in the radiator temperature.

It is contemplated that the metal of the outer plate portion 2! of fan section I0 may be deformed to present two or more fan blades within the angular extent of one of the shutter section apertures 79. Figs. 13 and 14 represent two possible dual blade arrangements which might be used. For instance, in Fig. 13, I provide a first relatively small blade 88, followed by a relatively large main blade 89. In Fig. 14, I show a main blade 9:! and a smaller blade 9| of shorter radial dimension and positioned alongside the outer portion of the main blade.

I claim:

1.A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, a detent lug mounted to one of the sections for movement relative thereto between a pair of control positions, means on the other section engageable by the lug in said two positions respectively to interconnect the sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, and means for controlling the movement of said lug between its two positions to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

2. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, a detent lug mounted to one of the sections for movement relative thereto between a pair of control positions, the other section having angularly spaced stop shoulders relatively ofiset for engagement with the lug in said two positions respectively to interconnect the sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, and means for controlling the movement of the lug between said control positions to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

3. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, a detent lug mounted to one of the sections for movement relative thereto between a pair of control posi-- tions, the other section having angularly spaced stop shoulders relatively offset for engagement with the lug in said two positions respectively to interconnect the sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, means on said other section forming locking notches adjacent the stop shoulders and within which the detent lug is receivable to positively rotatively interlock the sections in said relative angular positions, and means for controlling the movement of the lug between said control positions to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

i. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, a detent pin mounted to one of the sections for shift ng movement between a pair of control positions, the other section having angularly spaced stop shoulders alternately offset for engagement by the pin in said two position respectively to interconnect the sections for rotation together in different rel ative angular positions, shoulders on said other section limiting the shifting movement of said pin after disengagement from one stop shoulder and until its relative angular movement to the position of the next successive stop shoulder, means on said other section forming lock notches adjacent said step shoulders and into which the pin moves after said angular movement between stop shoulders to positively rotatively interlock the two sections, and means for controlling the shifting movement of said pin to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

5. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having angularly spaced fluid passing apertures and intermediate shutter surfaces, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted. to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, a detent lug mounted to one of the sections for movement relative thereto between a pair of control positions, the other section having stop shoulders spaced angularly incorrespondence withthe angular extents of said apertures and 10 shutter surfaces and relatively offset for engagement with the lug in said two positions respectively to interconnect the sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, and means for controlling the movement of the lug between said control positions to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough. v

6. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said firs-t section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relationto said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, said mechanism including means mounted to one of the sections for rotation therewith and for movement relative to both sections transversely of their axis of rotation and operable to control the relative positioning of said sections in accordance with said transverse movement, and means for controlling said transverse movement of the element to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

'7. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interlock said sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, said mechanism including a positioning element mounted to one of the sections for rotation therewith and about the axis of rotation of said one section and for radial movement relative thereto and operable to engage the other section and control the relative positioning of the sections in accordance with said radial movement, and means for controlling said radial movement of the element to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

8. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, a detent pin mounted to one of the sections for radial movement relativethereto, the other section containing an essentially annular recess within which said pin is movably received comprising a series of. interconnecting arcuate portions extending alternately at two different radial distances from the axis of rotation of the sections, whereby radial movement of the pin between po sitions at said two radial distances respectively from the axis of rotation permits relative rotation of the two sections an angular distance corresponding to the length of one of saidarcuat'e portions of the recess, the walls of said recess containing locking notches at the ends of said arcuate portions within which the pin is receivable to positively rotatively interlock the sections after their relative movement between a pair of relative angular positions, and means for controlling the radial movement of said pin to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

9. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in difierent relative angular positions, said holding mechanism including a movable positioning element carried by one of the sections for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation of the sections and for swinging move ment relative thereto about an axis radially offset from the axis of rotation of the sections and operable to control the relative positioning of the sections in accordance with said swinging movement, and means for controlling said swinging movement of the positioning element to thereby control the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

10. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring re lation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in difierent relative angular positions, said holding mechanism including a wheel mounted to one of the sections for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation of the sections and for rotation about a second axis ofiset from said axis of rotation of the sections, a detent pin eccentrically carried by the wheel and engageable with the other of said sections to control the relative positioning of the sections in accordance with rotation of the wheel about said second axis, and means for rotating the wheel about said second axis to move the pin and thereby control the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

11. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the efiective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in different relative an gular positions, said holding mechanism including a wheel mounted to one of the sections for .rotation about an axis offset from the axis of rotation of the sections, a detent pin eccentrically carried by the wheel and engageable with the other of said sections, a second wheel rotatably mounted to said one section at a location angularly adjacent said first wheel and connected in driving relation thereto, and means for rotating said second wheel to drive the first Wheel and move the pin to thereby vary the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

12. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, said holding mechanism including a first gear wheel mounted to one of the sections for rotation about an axis offset from the axis of rotation of the sections, a detent pin eccentrically carried by said wheel and engageable with the other of said sections, a second gear Wheel mounted to said one section at a location angularly adjacent said first wheel and connected in driving relation thereto, and a rotary solenoid carried by said one section and operable to rotate said second gear wheel and through it the first gear wheel to move the pin and thereby control the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

13. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the efiective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in diiferent relative angular positions, said holding mechanism including a detent element movably mounted to one of the sections and engageable with the other section, and a rotary solenoid operable to shift said element between a pair of control positions to thereby control the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

14. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in diflerent relative angular positions, said holding mechanism including a disk mounted to one of the sections for rotation about an axis radially offset from the axis of rotation of the sections, a detent pin eccentrically carried by said disk for movement radially of the sections between a pair of control positions upon rotation of the disk, the other section having an essentially annular recess within which the pin is movably received and comprising a Series of interconnecting arcuate portions extending alternately at two different radial distances from the axis of rotation of the sections, whereby radial movement of the pin between positions at said two radial distances respectively from the axis of rotation of the sections permits relative rotation of the sections an angular distance corresponding to the length of one of said arcuate portions of the recess, the walls of said recess containing locking notches at the ends of said arcuate portions within which the pin is receivable to positively rotatively interlock the sections after their relative movement between a pair of relative angular positions, and a rotary solenoid carried by said one section and operable to rotate said disk and thereby move the pin radially to control the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

15. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, means operable to control said holding mechanism to control the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough, and a plurality of bearings rotatable about axes diiierent from the axis of rotation of the sections and engaging and spacing apart said sections at locations spaced about said axis of the sections.

16. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid displacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, holding mechanism operable to interconnect said sections for rotation together in difierent relative angular positions, means operable to control said holding mechanism to control the relative angular positions of the sections and the fluid displacement therethrough, a plurality of rotatable rollers carried by one of said sections at locations spaced thereabout and engaging the other section to maintain the sections in predetermined spaced relation, and a plurality of U-shaped members for rotatively mounting said rollers each receivable within a recess in said one section and deformable into retaining relation with the associated roller upon insertion into said recess.

17. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angulariy disposed fluid isplacement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, one of said sections having a separately formed removable central portion, holding mechanism carried by said removable central portion of said one section and engageable with the other section to interconnect said sections for rotation together in different relative angular positions, and control mechanism operable to actuate said holding mechanism to change the relative positions of said sections while the sections are rotating, said holding mechanism including means carried by said removable central portion of said one section for rotation with the sections and movable relative to both of the sections.

18. A rotor device comprising a rotatable first section having fluid passing apertures, an axially adjacent second section rotatable with and relative to said first section and carrying shutter means adapted to vary the effective fluid passing area of said apertures upon relative rotation between the sections, angularly disposed fluid dis placement blades mounted for rotation with the sections and positioned in fluid transferring relation to said fluid passing apertures, an annular member of rubber-like material mounted to one of said sections for rotation therewith and having an irregular but essentially annular detent recess facing the other section, a detent element movably carried by the other section for rotation therewith and for movement relative thereto and extending into said recess to cooperate therewith in interconnecting said sections selectively in different relative angular positions, said annular member forming shoulders engageable by said detent element in different positions thereof to maintain the sections in said different relative positions, and means for controlling the movement of said detent element relative to said other section to thereby control the relative angular positions of said sections and the fluid displacement therethrough.

ELMORE J. SANDERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 875,991 Gilson Jan. 7, 1908 1,011,313 Bretherick Dec. 12, 1911 1,412,313 Negri Apr. 11, 1922 2,383,003 Mader Aug. 21, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 600,454 France 1925 

